Port celebrates new shipping service
Boosting Nigerian position as a maritime hub
NIGERIA: The management of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL), Lekki Freeport Terminal, and the Lagos Free Zone officially launched the Cosco, One (Ocean Network Express), and Zim alliance services at Lekki Deep Sea Port with the arrival of the EA Centaurus at the Lekki Deep Sea Port last Friday.
The vessel was also celebrated at its arrival in the Port of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, and is the largest Cosco vessel to call in Nigeria.
The Port of Abidjan hosted a ceremony to welcome the EA Centaurus, a 272m container vessel with a draft of 14.3 metres and a capacity of 7,000 TEUs.
The Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Freeport Terminal, Christophe Cassang, explained that the launch of the service marks a crucial milestone in the terminal's development and capacity expansion. He added that the launch of the service demonstrates the company's commitment to becoming a leading maritime hub in West Africa.
“Through the strategic partnership with global shipping leaders such as Cosco, One and Zim, we are strengthening our position on the international stage and opening new opportunities for trade and industry in Nigeria and the region,” said Cassang.
In his remarks during the ceremony, the Managing Director of Lekki Port, Du Ruogang, noted that the berthing of the E A Centaurus marked the first of bi-weekly calls to Lekki Deep Sea Port by Cosco, One and Zim shipping lines.
“After 18 months of commencement of commercial operations and continued efforts, we are proud to welcome Cosco, One and Zim shipping lines to Lekki Port. With the bi-weekly calls of the consortium, we are realizing our vision of driving significant cargo volumes and further positioning Lekki Port to enhance the Nigerian maritime sector and improve business efficiency across the country,” he said.
“From one shipping line, we now have four shipping lines calling at the Lekki Deep Sea Port; it is significant because we now have more options that allow more customers access to the state-of-the-art facilities at the Lekki Port. It also allows the growth of enterprises in the Lagos Free Zone and, in fact, the entire Lekki economic axis. The companies can bring their raw materials through any of the four shipping lines and move them straight into the factories for production. They can also export finished goods to other parts of Africa and, indeed, the world. This is the economic rejuvenation we are all looking for, and Lekki Port and Lagos Free Zone are happy to be doing our part”, said the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Free Zone, Adesuwa Ladoja
PHOTO: L-R: Managing Director, Lansal, Todd Rives: Director, Ocean Network Express (Nigeria) Limited, Stefan Pedersen: Chief Executive Officer, Lagos Free Zone, Adesuwa Ladoja; Chief Executive Officer, Lekki Freeport Terminal, Christophe Cassang; Managing Director, Lekki Port, Du Ruogang and Deputy Managing Director, COSCO Shipping Lines Nigeria Limited, Rex Wang during the arrival ceremony of EA Centaurus and berth of COSCO Shipping, ZIM and ONE services at Lekki Port on Friday.
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